Brussels, 26/05/2015 (Agence Europe) - During their 24th joint ministerial meeting in Doha (Qatar) on Sunday 24 May, the EU and countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC - Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates) identified their common concerns and priorities as regards the situation in the Middle East and Gulf region, especially in Yemen.
“In Yemen (…) the situation is extremely serious. The continuing advance of Houthis and pro-Saleh forces in violation of UNSC resolutions is clearly unacceptable. But only a political solution can restore stability. The UN secretary-general's announcement of the launch of inclusive Yemeni-led consultations starting on 28 May in Geneva is a welcome step”, said High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini - who is co-chairing the meeting alongside Qatar's Foreign Minister Khalid bin Mohammad Al Attiyah. The ministers from the EU and GCC agreed on the need to find a solution to the conflict on the basis of UN Security Council Resolution 2216, the GCC initiative and the outcomes of the Riyadh conference in mid-May.
With regard to the Iranian nuclear programme, Mogherini gave fresh assurance to her Gulf partners that account is being taken of their concerns as regards regional security. “I believe an agreement is within reach by the end of June”, Mogherini stated. “We know that only a robust and comprehensive solution, which would give verifiable guarantees about the exclusively peaceful nature of Iran's nuclear programme will build a strong basis of mutual trust”, she said.
With regard to Syria, the EU and GCC said they hoped the ongoing bilateral consultations in Geneva would lead to an inclusive political process. “The European Union is participating in this process with all our energy and we commend the efforts by GCC collectively and by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in particular to facilitate internal coordination and rapprochement within the Syrian opposition”, Mogherini stated. With regard to Iraq, the parties agreed on the need to develop a true process of national reconciliation and to support Prime Minister Abdi in his efforts to implement an inclusive programme of reforms.
With regard to Libya, the EU and GCC stressed the urgent need for the Libyan parties to reach an agreement on national reconciliation before Ramadan. “It is a matter of extreme importance, first of all to avoid the vacuum that terrorist activities and terrorist networks could fill in, and also because we need to face the terrible situation of asylum seekers and migrants”, Mogherini stated.
In addition, with regard to the Middle East peace process, the EU and GCC agreed on the need “to work with a new energy in this respect. It is now one year since we don't have a peace process any more”, Mogherini said [sic]. “The lack of process in itself can lead to bad news very soon. Both in the West Bank and Gaza the tensions are possibly raising again if we don't have new and positive developments on the ground and in terms of political perspective”, she added, calling for a commitment from the GCC reviewing the Arab peace initiative.
The ministers also discussed other global issues of common interest, particularly the fight against terrorism, and they underlined the importance of close coordination on this issue.
On the bilateral level, the EU and GCC underlined the need to strengthen their links to serve as a solid and effective basis for regional and international stability and security. Both parties hailed the strengthening of their political dialogue. The economic and political cooperation between the EU and GCC is governed by the 1988 cooperation agreement.
As regards trade, both parties hailed the fact that bilateral trade reached €148 billion in 2014, in other words a 50% increase compared with 2010. The free-trade negotiations between the EU and GCC were suspended by the Arab side in 2008. There have since been informal attempts to find a basis for relaunching and concluding the negotiations, but they have thus far been unsuccessful. (Emmanuel Hagry)